STEVE MCCLELLAN

Articles by Stephen All articles by Stephen

• WPP Unifies Production Ops, Puts Glasson In Charge in MAD on 01/22/2026
  

  With the new setup, all of the holding company's production teams will operate on a single platform driven by WPP Open's production technology and AI-powered workflows.

• Betty Agency Expands To Austin, Mexico City in MAD on 01/22/2026
  

  In addition to full time ad staff, the Austin location will include a content production team within its 8,400-square-foot studio space. Mexico City will house Betty and sibling media agency Rise.

• Mindgruve Broadens European Footprint With Ameo Acquisition in MAD on 01/21/2026
  

  The agency also said it strengthens its ability to help U.S. and global brands scale retail media performance across international markets.

• Omnicom Sells Jack Morton, Will Merge With Impact XM in MAD on 01/21/2026
  

  Investor The Riverside Company will become majority owner and Impact XM CEO Jared Pollacco will lead the combined company. Jack Morton CEO Craig Millon will become global president.

• Are 'Chaotic' Client Data Silos Responsible For Billions In Wasted Media? in MAD on 01/21/2026
  

  That's the way many media agencies see it, according to new research from ID Comms, which just released some headline findings from its forthcoming State Of Digital Media Benchmark report.

• Michelob Ultra Back In The Big Game in MAD on 01/20/2026
  

  The beer brand unveiled a teaser that features a novice skier named "Greg" zooming down the slopes while Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim and Olympian and Stanley Cup champion T. J. Oshie watch in awe.

• Stagwell Unveils Adtech, AI-Focused Incubator in MAD on 01/20/2026
  

  The fund has been dubbed Quarter Creek Ventures, and it will take a minority stake in selected projects in exchange for seed funding for product development and market entry and operational support in areas like strategy, design, technology, and go-to-market execution.

• Tombras Acquires Portland, OR Agency Opinionated in MAD on 01/20/2026
  

  Tombras pointed to Opinionated's "proven ability to build creative, effective, and culturally resonant brand platforms for national and global clients," as a key reason for acquiring the agency.

• Hanson Dodge Appoints New Group Creative Director in People on the Move on 01/20/2026
  

• News Champion Of The Year: Mark Penn in MAD on 01/19/2026
  

  Penn has argued, correctly, that a rigorous free press is critical to democracy, and that advertisers play a role in keeping legitimate news sources healthy.

Comments by Stephen All comments by Stephen

• Interpublic's R/GA Taken Private By Truelink Capital by Steve McClellan (MAD on 03/03/2025)
  

  Good question, Scott. Not disclosed so far. 

• International Advertising Association Establishes North American Chapter by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 03/17/2023)
  

  Michael, the IAA has had a New York chapter but has never had a North America chapter. This will encompass all of the US, Canada and Mexico, according to the group. Thank you for rasing the point as the article should have provided that background. 

• How Much Does Gun Advertising Contribute To All The Killing? by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 06/01/2022)
  

  Steve, here is a link to the NYT story referrenced in the Whitman column. It does not show the videogame type ads described in the piece. It does link to a Daniel Defense ad featuring children. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/business/daniel-defense-rifle-texas-shooting-gun.html?searchResultPosition=1

• New Era At Accenture Interactive As Droga Is Poised To Take The Reins by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/23/2021)
  

  Oops, thanks for pointing that out John.

• 4A's Creates Agency Review Participation Agreement by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/24/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, I think you're right--an effort to make clients aware agencies have major issues with the current process, particularly when the client doesn't retain professional help with the search. No power per se. 

• Agency Review Activity Spikes After Quiet 2020 by Steve McClellan (MAD on 07/09/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, the $544 million figure is a net figure that does take into account losses. No doubt marketers are pressing for lower fees/prices whereever they can find them, with all suppliers. But the spike probably does reflect the fact that marketers put off reviews last year to deal with other more pressing COVID-related issues. 

• Imagine A Pro Sports Team Called The 'New York Jews' by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 07/13/2020)
  

  Ed, I think the hockey team has a claim on the Capitals name there, although St. Louis had both a baseball Cardinals and a football Cardinals for some time. To your broader point, yeah, there are a lot options for non-offensive names. 

• Despite Rumors To The Contrary, Manly Men Drink Rose by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/06/2017)
  

  Thanks Nicholas, as editor of this column I should have caught that. Appreciate that you did. 

• Brands Failing To Provide Quality Training In Media Skills by Steve McClellan (MAD on 10/28/2016)
  

  It is J.R., although it's usually not referred to as 'educatiing' and frequently it is people below the c suite. But often agencies meet with clients to 'brief' them on this or that issue. Which makes sense given that the former are supposed to be experts in the field. 

• Agencies React To Finger-Pointing, 4As Calls ANA Report Anonymous, One-Sided by Steve McClellan (MAD on 06/07/2016)
  

  Thanks for catching that Michael, now fixed.

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